Recycling Our Natural Resources

ISO 14001 16th Consecutive Year

Since 2001, the ISO 14001 certification has been maintained, and since 2010 the OHSAS 18001 certification has been maintained. At the end of January 2016, Aaron Oil Co completed its annual ISO audit and passed with flying colors! Now, we are celebrating our 16th consecutive year!! It is also worth noting that no other used oil / petroleum fuel reclamation company in the country carries both certifications simultaneously.

In honor of our 16th year, we conducted a short interview with Aaron Oil Co.’s Compliance Officer, Chris McNeil. Chris oversees the daily compliance, company wide, under both of these high management standards. Who better to talk about ‘sweet 16’?

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Q: What does ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 mean to you?

CM: It is a structure for what we do as a company, a management standard. ISO & OHSAS provide checks and balances to confirm that what we’re doing is being done the right way. It makes you commit to an excellence without which a company may not strive for. We are audited annually to make sure that whatever we say were doing is exactly what we’re doing.

Q: Given the high state and federal regulations, do you believe there is a lack of understanding?

CM: By end large, yes. We work really hard to help educate, but the responsibility to know, understand and comply with regulations falls directly on the Generator (a company that gathers used oil and/or used oil contaminated materials and stores onsite).

Q: What is the biggest misconception?

CM: The Generator remains liable for their used oil until after it leaves their gate (facility) all the way to its final disposition. It doesn’t matter if I’m paying you $1 per gallon, or charging $1, the Generator is liable until it reaches its final disposition.

Q: 16th consecutive year ISO 14001 certified?

CM: That is saying a lot. It’s not cheap. It’s not easy. Also, it requires a lot of resources to maintain.

Q: Currently, oil and gas market prices are at unprecedented lows, what would you say to a Generator who was evaluating their vendor based solely on price?

CM: It’s dangerous. The old saying goes, “when the economy gets bad the first thing to go is Environmental, Health and Safety.” We have transparent certifications to prove we’re managing Generator’s highly regulated petroleum related waste streams properly. If a Generator is “saving” money with a cheaper vendor; one slip up could be incredibly costly.

Q: In your opinion, what does the future look like?

CM: Unless the economy improves, more and more Generators will be tempted to GAMBLE on the cheapest vendor. For AOC, it is very important to maintain our ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001 certifications. This will provide continuing comfort to our current customers confirming their liabilities are being managed properly. It also provides an alternative for Generators who are looking for ways to reduce their liabilities and improve their comfort level.

Q: In the midst of these unprecedented market conditions, AOC continues to maintain ISO 14001 and OHSAS 18001.

CM: It is an impressive statement. Incredible that AOC continues to invest and dedicate the resources necessary to maintain our credentials in these current market conditions.

Q: What type response, if any, do you foresee from Federal and/or State regulators in regards to Generators and Vendors reacting to a struggling economy?

CM: Regulators will continue “pop in” inspections. Nothing can predict or prevent an Inspector from showing up at a Generators facility and want to look around.